Frequently Asked Questions

All Magnum sprayers can spray water-based and solvent-based paints, stains and primers that can be cleaned with mineral spirits. Materials that cannot be used with Magnum sprayers include solvent-based lacquers (exceptions are the ProX21 and the Pro210ES), texture based materials and elastomeric.

Download our comprehensive guide for more specifics about which sprayers can spray which materials:
 Graco Magnum/TrueCoat/TC Pro Material Compatibility Guide

All sprayers include a 515 spray tip that sprays a 10 inch spray fan for spraying latex paint on larger surfaces. When spraying stain, we recommend you use a spray tip that restricts the amount of paint coming out of the front, such as a 311 or 413 spray tip. The first number of any spray tip is multiplied by 2 to give you the width of the spray fan. A 311 tip will spray a 6 inch spray fan and the 413 wills spray an 8 inch spray fan. The second 2 numbers indicate the hole size. The thicker the material, the larger the hole size should be to get the best spray finish.

Check the paint manufacturer's recommendation in the "Application" section of the label on the bucket or can of paint.

No, only the Graco Pro210ES and larger Graco sprayers need TSL. Magnum sprayers only need to be stored with Pump Armor after every use to assure reliable priming on your next project.

Once the fan pattern starts to get smaller, the spray tip should be replaced. The same amount of material is coming out but not covering as large of an area on your wall. You will need more paint to finish the project with a worn spray tip.

It is best to spray at the lowest pressure that provides a good spray pattern in order to reduce overspray. Start at low spray and spray on a piece of cardboard. If you see lines on the top or bottom of the spray pattern, increase the spray pressure until the lines go away.

The most important maintenance with any airless sprayer is to thoroughly clean the sprayer and store the sprayer with Pump Armor between use. Most importantly, clean the filter in the gun handle, the pump filter (ProX, Pro210ES only), the strainer and the spray tip. With good cleaning and using Pump Armor, your sprayer will last for years.

We recommend a 12-gauge extension cord no longer than 100 feet.

Graco repair parts can be purchased through one of the many service repair centers. Graco does not sell parts direct.

Repair parts and accessories are available online through a network of Authorized Distributors.

The parts list and service instructions for the DX and XR Magnum Sprayers are on Service Manual number 309226. 

Click on: 

Literature for Magnum sprayers can be located on Graco’s web site. Open http://www.graco.com and enter the form number in the SEARCH SITE box. The forms will be displayed in Adobe Acrobat.

Reconditioned sprayers will not have a registration card. Keep your sales receipt - you will need it to have any warranty repair done on your sprayer. Your reconditioned Magnum sprayer is warranted for 12 months from the date of purchase. Service centers for Magnum sprayers can be located on Graco’s web site http://www.graco.com/.

Listed below are the possible sprayer settings or conditions that could cause the sprayer not to prime. They are listed in order of the easiest to correct or the most likely to occur to those requiring more complicated corrections to make or unlikely to happen.

1. The Spray/Prime valve should be set at PRIME. The arrow on the handle should be pointing down.

2. Is the inlet screen or suction tube clogged? Clean debris off inlet screen and make sure the suction tube is at the bottom of the paint pail so the filter is covered with paint. Make sure the protective plastic cap or bag that covers the filter screen on new sprayers has been removed and that the siphon hose is not kinked.

3. Is the inlet valve check ball stuck? Place the smaller diameter drain hose into a waste pail and tap the side of the inlet check valve with a tool while the sprayer is stroking. The inlet check valve is the large hex shaped fitting that the larger diameter suction hose is connected to. If his does not free up the ball, remove the inlet tube and place a pencil, eraser end first, into the inlet valve housing to loosen the ball. 

4. Is the outlet valve check ball stuck? Remove the paint hose from the DX sprayer and unscrew the fitting that the paint hose was attached to. This fitting is the outlet valve. Gently nudge the ball inside the valve assembly with a screwdriver to loosen the ball. Screw the outlet valve back into the pump.

5. Make sure the drain line is not blocked so the sprayer can prime. Power Flush your sprayer with water if you are spraying latex paint and you should pass about one gallon of water per minute with the garden hose pressure. Check the diffuser, drain hose, or pump housing to clear any dried paint if the water flow is less. Power Flushing instructions are in the Quick Guide (form number 309316) if you are not familiar with the process. 

6. The material may be too thick. This sprayer is not intended to spray roofing materials, block fillers, or materials thicker than a latex paint. Even 100% acrylic latex paints may have to be thinned when using a sprayer smaller than the XR9.

1. The inlet or outlet check valve is stuck open. Shut the sprayer off, un-plug the electric cord, and rotate the prime/spray valve handle down to relieve any pressure in the sprayer, and remove the blue paint hose from the sprayer. Unscrew the inlet and outlet check valves. Clean the ball and seat of each valve of all debris and inspect to insure ball is loose and can sit tightly on the seat. Inspect the o-ring around the valve housing for damage and replace if necessary. Screw the valve back into the pump and securely attach the hose.

2. Leaky joint or defective suction hose will allow air into the sprayer. Inspect suction hose for leaks, tighten or replace if necessary.

3 Spray/Prime valve is stuck open or leaks. Repair or replace Spray/Prime valve. See your service center.

Service centers for Magnum sprayers can be located on Graco’s web site. Open http://www.graco.com and click on CUSTOMER SERVICE from the list on the left edge of the screen and open the CLICK HERE TO LOCATE A CONTRACTOR DISTRIBUTOR link. Enter your zip code number and click the HOME CENTER OR HARDWARE STORE button to find the three closest distributors (you may expand the search distance,too).

If the Pressure Control becomes too stiff to turn, replace the pressure control. Do not disassemble the knob as it cannot be re-calibrated in the field.

1. The inlet or outlet check valve is being held open by debris. Typically the outlet valve is being held open. You will need to remove the valve, inspect, and clean or replace as necessary.

2. There may be a leaky joint or defective suction hose that is allowing air to seep into the sprayer. You will need to inspect the suction hose for leaks and tighten or replace if necessary.

3. The Spray/Prime valve may be stuck open or is leaking. Repair or replace the drain valve. See your service center. Service centers for Magnumsprayers can be located on Graco’s web site. From the left side tool bar click on "Where to Buy" then click on Contractor Equipment Distributor, click on dealer to provide repair service and enter your zip code and click on ‘Home Center or Hardware Store’ button.

4. The valve seat, ball or O-ring seal of the inlet/outlet check valve is worn out or damaged. The inlet or outlet valve may have been loose, causing leakage or damage. Replace the valve, see your service center.

Usually, when a sprayer does not build up pressure, the outlet check ball is either stuck in the open position or on the seat. Unplug the sprayer and relieve any pressure in the system. 

If your sprayer has a small black cover just right of the sprayer's fluid hose connection, remove the black cover and use a 3/4" socket to un-screw the outlet check valve and clean it. 

If your sprayer does not have the black cover, you will need to lay the sprayer on its back with the front cover up. Remove the 4 screws that attach the cover, hold the prime spray valve and pressure control knobs down so they remain with the sprayer, and gently lift off the cover. The knobs must remain with the pump on the sprayer. The outlet check valve will be in the middle of the pump housing sitting at an angle. Remove the outlet check valve and clean it and replace all the items.

1. The paint level is low enough to allow for leaking of air into the sprayer suction tube. You need to fill the container with more paint and keep the suction filter below the liquid level in the paint pail.

2. There may be dried paint, debris or sand fillers stuck in the inlet or outlet check valve. You should always strain the paint before using and protect the paint from contamination. Flush the sprayer to clean and re-prime. If this does not work, you will need to remove and clean the inlet/outlet check valves.

3. There may be a leaky joint or a defective suction hose allowing air to be ingested into the sprayer. Inspect the suction tube and all connections for air leaks.

4. Have a repair center evaluate the sprayer to determine why it lost prime. Service centers for Magnum sprayers can be located on Graco’s web site. Open http://www.graco.com and click on CUSTOMER SERVICE from the list on the left edge of the screen and open the CLICK HERE TO LOCATE A CONTRACTOR DISTRIBUTOR link. Enter your zip code number and click the HOME CENTER OR HARDWARE STORE button to find the three closest distributors (you may expand the search distance,too).

Graco does not sell used or reconditioned equipment, however, Home Depot does sell reconditioned Magnum sprayers at their stores. These sprayers are reconditioned by local service centers that support Home Depot and the Magnum line of paint sprayers.

1. Is it necessary to fill the sprayer with the protection fluid if just shutting down for the night (i.e. I need to paint again tomorrow, so can I just flush with water and leave it overnight)?
2. Do the spray hose and gun need to be filled with the protection fluid?
3. Where can you buy the fluid? Does it have to be Graco fluid, or can I substitute with something else?

The Magnum XR/DX sprayer should be flushed at the end of the day with water when spraying latex paint and mineral spirits when spraying oil base paint. The pump is made of carbon steel and will rust if left in water. Use mineral spirits in the pump during a project and Pump Armor between projects. Pump Armor can be purchased where you bought the sprayer.

The hose and gun should also be filled with something other than water; mineral spirits would be fine for short and long storage.

Each of the Magnum units come with a video tape that is very good at explaining these things. The brochure that comes with them is also a good reference guide. Over spray cannot be avoided when airless spraying but can be minimized by reducing pressure. Reducing too far will cause low pressure at the tip and the results will be seen as heavier paint at the edges of the spray or "fingers" in the middle of the spray pattern. Techniques for indoor vs outdoor spraying are the same. Tip size however, will be a factor. Use larger tips for outdoor paints with broad areas to cover and smaller tips for indoor paints, or thinner materials like stains, or detailed applications. 

A spray painted finish will mirror the substrate it is applied to. The rollers are primarily used to get more of a texture finish than a smooth sprayed finish or used where any over spray is not permissible. 

1. Check the electrical outlet for power with a radio or other electric appliance. Reset the breaker if power is not available.

2. Remove any extension cords and plug the sprayer directly into the outlet. Replace any faulty extension cord. Use as short a cord as possible and it should be at least a 3-conductor 12 gage wire or larger in diameter.

3. Your motor has 'over heated' and tripped the thermal overload switch in the motor. Wait 20 to 30 minutes and then try the sprayer again. If the sprayer does not start, see your service center for repair. Service centers for Magnum sprayers can be located on Graco’s web site. Open http://www.graco.com and click on CUSTOMER SERVICE from the list on the left edge of the screen and open the CLICK HERE TO LOCATE A CONTRACTOR DISTRIBUTOR link. Enter your zip code number and click the HOME CENTER OR HARDWARE STORE button to find the three closest distributors (you may expand the search distance,too).

4. Rotate the prime/spray valve to prime, have the pressure control turned up about half way, the off/on switch turned on, and the sprayer plugged into an outlet with electricity. If the sprayer runs, check for a blocked filter, hose, spray gun, or spray tip.

1. The motor on your Magnum/DX is 'laboring' and then paint blows out the drain or small tube. Your pressure switch is defective or worn out. See your service center for repair. Open http://www.graco.com and click on CUSTOMER SERVICE from the list on the left edge of the screen and open the CLICK HERE TO LOCATE A CONTRACTOR DISTRIBUTOR link. Enter your zip code number and click the HOME CENTER OR HARDWARE STORE button to find the three closest distributors (you may expand the search distance,too).

2. Control board has failed. See your service center for repair.

1. You may have water or paint in the pressure switch. You need to see a service center for repair. Service centers for Magnum sprayers can be located on Graco’s web site. Open http://www.graco.com and click on CUSTOMER SERVICE from the list on the left edge of the screen and open the CLICK HERE TO LOCATE A CONTRACTOR DISTRIBUTOR link. Enter your zip code number and click the HOME CENTER OR HARDWARE STORE button to find the three closest distributors (you may expand the search distance,too).

2. The pressure control wires may be pinched. You need to see a service center for repair.

3. The control card or motor may be defective. See your service center for repair.

The material of the black gasket that is currently in your spray head has been changed and is now suitable for solvent based materials. Use of the yellow gasket is no longer necessary and is not provided with new sprayers.

1. Tip is partially plugged. Reverse the spray tip and trigger the gun to clear clog per instructions in your manual. Remove and clean the tip, but do not use any metal objects to clean it with because the tip carbide could be chipped and damaged. 

2. Pressure switch is set too low. Increase pressure by turning the knob clockwise.

3. Filters in sprayer or gun are plugged. Remove and clean the filters or replace as needed. 

4. Tip is too large or worn out. Replace the tip with proper size for the material being sprayed and within the rated tip size of the sprayer.

5. Material is too thick. Let the paint warm to room temperature if the paint is cold or thin the paint according to the manufacturers instructions.

6. Paint hose is too long and/or too small diameter. Use shorter and/or larger diameter hose.

7. Extension cord is too long or not a heavy enough gage. Use as short of an extension cord as possible and it should be at least 12 gage or larger.

8. Valve seat, ball or gasket is worn out or valve may have been loose, causing leakage and damage. Replace valve.

9. Pressure switch is defective/worn out. Replace pressure switch. 

10. The suction hose is blocked, kinked, or cracked and leaking air or suction filter is blocked. Examine the hose and filter and clean or replace as necessary.

11. See your service center. Service or replacement parts for Graco sprayers can be obtained at authorized repair centers listed on Graco’s web site. Service centers for Graco and Magnum sprayers can be located on Graco’s web site. From the left side tool bar click on "Where to Buy" then click on Contractor Equipment Distributor, click on dealer where I can buy a product or provide repair service, enter your zip code and click on either "Paint Store or if you have purchased your sprayer for a Home Center click on ‘Home Center or Hardware Store’ button if you are using a Magnum sprayer.

The label on the paint can should list the recommended cleanup solvent. If not listed, ask your paint supplier or the paint manufacturer for their recommendation. Mineral spirits (paint thinner) is usually used to clean the sprayer after using oil based paint. Use the pail flush technique in the instruction form for the sprayer to solvent flush. Instruction form 309225 revision 'D' or higher will describe the pail flush process. Clean off the outside surfaces of the suction and drain hoses. Pour about two pints of solvent in a clean, grounded metal pail (the metal pail needs to be grounded to dissipate and prevent static spark/build-up when flushing) and flush through the prime circuit a few times and then through the hose and spray gun a few times. Capture any paint exiting the drain hose and the spray gun and return it to the unused paint container. Flush the drain hose and gun hose for 2-3 minutes with this first batch of solvent. Repeat with a fresh pint or two of solvent as often as necessary until the solvent stays clean. A gallon of solvent should clean the sprayer. Store the sprayer with mineral spirits in the pump, hose, and gun after your painting project. Store the sprayer with mineral spirits in the pump, hose, and gun or use Pump Armor in the pump for extended periods of storage after your project is completed.

Read, understand and follow all instruction manuals and warning labels supplied with all equipment. Only trained and qualified personnel should perform repairs on the equipment. To access the latest manuals in your preferred language go to "www.Graco.com" and use the "Search" function.

Here are two basic reasons that cause spits or droplets of unatomized paint. 

1. The first would be defects or wear in the spray tip or gun needle. Replace the tip if it’s worn or defective. To check the gun, remove the tip & guard assembly. Repeatedly trigger the gun, watching for spits or leakage when the trigger of the gun is released. Any leakage would indicate that there is a problem with the needle/seat in the gun and it would need to be cleaned or rebuilt. 

2. The second reason is not a mechanical defect, but rather a characteristic of airless spray. When a gun is at rest, there is about an inch of paint lying in a channel between the front of the gun and the end of the spray tip. In the micro second when the gun is triggered, the paint in this channel starts to move forward and gets out of the tip before the high pressure paint behind it can raise the pressure to a level where it will atomize. This paint that gets through the tip, is carried to the substrate with the spray and is the spit or glob of paint that you are seeing. The severity of this problem varies with the type of material sprayed, but is a common problem when spraying enamels for fine finish woodwork . The only cure is to trigger the gun as fast as possible, trigger the gun off the substrate, or changing to an air spray application method.

Graco makes spray tips for every type of job. All are manufactured with the highest quality tungsten carbide, tested for flow rate, and liquid-honed for longer life. Reverse-A-Clean® (RAC) tips are designed for easy tip unplugging and quick tip changes. Flat tips are relatively inexpensive and considered disposable if the plug. The chart below summarizes the range of tips and their part number code.
Reverse-A-Clean
Number
Description
Use
LTXXXX RAC X SwitchTip Designed for latex. Reversible for cleaning with 50% longer life than other Graco tips.
WR1XXX RAC X SwitchTip Designed for latex. Reversible for cleaning with 50% longer life than other Graco tips. It
also produces a 22-24" wide fan at 12" from the surface.
FFTXXX RAC X SwitchTip Designed for latex. Reversible for cleaning with 50% longer life than other Graco tips. It
has a double orifice for a fine finish.

286XXX
RAC 5 SwitchTip
Widely used reversible spray tip with OneSeal for all
fluids
221XXX
RAC IV SwitchTip
General use reversible spray tip.
FFRXXX
Fine Finish RAC Tip
Double orifice tip delivers finer atomization with softer
edges at lower pressures.
LLTXXX
LineLazer RAC Tip
Laser-sharp line on parking lots, roads, etc.
GHDXXX
Heavy-Duty RAC Tip
For high solids coatings and fibrous mastics.



Flat Tips


Number
Description
Use
269XXX
Contractor Flat Tip
For abrasive architectural coatings.
163XXX
Silver Flat Tip
Primarily used for industrial spray applications.
163XXX
Fine Finish Flat Tip
For spraying extremely smooth finishes.

Streaks in the spray pattern, especially heavy bands at the outside edge, is an indication of low pressure at the tip. Turn up the pressure control knob until these bands are eliminated. If the sprayer is already at maximum, you may have to use larger diameter hose or shorten the length of the hose to reduce the pressure drop. Also, make sure any paint filters in the system are clean, because there will be a pressure drop across a restricted or plugged screen.

Sprayers are rated for a maximum tip size. Using a tip that is larger than the maximum size or a tip that is worn larger will cause low pressure. The tip should also be the proper size for the type of material being sprayed.

It is recommended that you flush the unit out every night to prevent paint from curing in the pump, which can be time consuming and costly to correct. Flush per the instructions and store the sprayer with mineral spirits in the hose and gun and mineral spirits or Pump Armor in the pump.

As an airless tip wears, two things change. The fan length gets shorter and the hole size gets larger. The end result is a more oval pattern than a long, thin line. Spray a test pattern with a new spray tip and keep it for a reference. Check your fan pattern versus this test pattern and replace the tip when the fan size has collapsed 25% of its original size. Increased paint consumption will also indicate a worn tip.

RAC IV and RAC V tips are interchangeable. Neither of them are interchangeable with RAC X tips.The RAC X requires a specific tip guard assembly and seal.

First and foremost, read and understand your instruction manual. It contains operational, safety, and warranty information which will answer many of your questions. 

Daily maintenance includes: 

Checking the packing nut so that it is just tight enough to prevent leakage. Do not over-tighten.
Check that the wet-cup is 1/3 full of throat seal liquid (TSL). 
Check all fluid connections for leaks. Relieve pressure before tightening any connections.
Clean all filters.
On electric models, check the power cord for frayed ends or a damaged cord. Check for proper grounding.
Flush the sprayer with mineral spirits or pump saver fluid at the end of each work day to help prevent corrosion and freezing.
Remove and clean the manifold filter, suction tube and suction hose.

1. Pattern surging could be caused by a plugged or excessively worn tip. Clean or replace with a new tip.
2. Pulsating fluid delivery could be the result of using too large of a tip for the sprayer or using an excessively worn tip. Change to a smaller tip or replace worn tip with a like size new tip.
3. A shrinking spray pattern could be caused by restricted filters or screens. Remove and clean or replace all filters and inlet screen in the system. Filters can be located in the gun, pump manifold and on the suction tube.

1. If the cause of the problem is erratic fluid flow and operating at a higher pressure eliminates the problem, do so. Always use the lowest possible pressure that will develop a good spray pattern to minimize wear in the sprayer.

2. If the problem persists, there are some particles in the paint too large to pass through the tip orifice. Change the gun filter to a 100-mesh filter, available where the sprayer was purchased. 

3. Or, if time or distance does not permit, remove and clean all the filters, then flush the sprayer, paint hose, spray gun, and drain hose thoroughly. Use a nylon stocking to filter the paint into a clean pail and re-prime the sprayer.

Graco spray tips are coded with a 6-digit number, although you will only see the last three digits marked on the tip itself. The first 3 digits indicate the kind of tip it is (i.e., 286 is Rac 5). The fourth digit, when doubled, indicates the approximate fan width in inches when the gun is held 12" from the spraying surface. The last two digits indicate the orifice size in thousandths of an inch. For example, tip number 286417 is a Reverse-A-Clean (RAC 5) SwitchTip, with a fan width of approximately 8-10 inches, and an orifice size of 0.017 inch.